Method and apparatus for reassembling a toner cartridge

Abstract

In the toner cartridge recycling and remanufacturing industry, used xerographic toner cartridges are reconditioned and refilled with toner. There are various types and models of toner cartridges, each having unique physical properties. The present invention is directed to the reassembling of toner cartridges that may not have sufficient securing surfaces to allow the cartridge to be physically held together using an external securing device. The present invention will also enable the toner cartridges to be more efficiently remanufactured by allowing a quick connect or disconnect during the assembly or disassembly process.

We claim:  
     
       1. A method for reassembling a toner cartridge comprising the steps of: 
       providing a developer roller housing, said developer roller housing having a forward securing edge and an upper rear securing flange,  
       providing a toner hopper reservoir, said toner hopper reservoir having a lower rear securing flange, a mounting surface, a bottom, and a forward surface contour, such forward surface contour extending from the mounting surface to the bottom,  
       providing a securing fixture, said securing fixture having a lip,  
       connecting said securing fixture to the mounting surface, such that the lip extends towards the lower rear securing flange,  
       mating the developer roller housing with the toner hopper reservoir, by inserting the forward securing edge under the lip of the securing fixture,  
       creating a combined rear flange, which comprises the upper rear securing flange and the lower rear securing flange connected together, and  
       securing the combined rear flange.  
     
     
       2. The method in  claim 1  wherein the securing fixture extends across the entire securing surface. 
     
     
       3. The method in  claim 1  wherein the connecting of the securing fixture to the mounting surface is accomplished by using a double-sided tape. 
     
     
       4. The method in  claim 1  wherein multiple securing fixtures are connected to the mounting surface. 
     
     
       5. The method in  claim 1  wherein clips are used to secure the combined rear flange. 
     
     
       6. The method in  claim 1  wherein glue is used to secure the combined rear flange. 
     
     
       7. The method in  claim 1  wherein a spring is used as the securing fixture. 
     
     
       8. The method in  claim 1  wherein the mounting surface is located on a horizontal planar surface. 
     
     
       9. The method in  claim 1  wherein the securing fixture is a strap that extends beyond the mounting surface conforming to the forward surface contour of the toner hopper reservoir. 
     
     
       10. The method in  claim 1  wherein the securing fixture is plastic. 
     
     
       11. The method in  claim 1  wherein the securing fixture is metal. 
     
     
       12. The method in  claim 1  wherein the securing fixture further comprises ribs. 
     
     
       13. The method in  claim 1  further comprising the steps of adding a seal in between the toner hopper reservoir and the developer roller housing. 
     
     
       14. A toner cartridge comprising: 
       a toner hopper reservoir having a lower rear securing flange, a mounting surface, a bottom, and a forward surface contour, such forward surface contour extending from the mounting surface to the bottom,  
       a developer roller housing having a forward securing edge and an upper rear securing flange,  
       a securing fixture having a lip, such that when the securing fixture is connected to the mounting surface the lip extends towards the rear securing flange, said lip being used to hold the forward securing edge in place when the developer roller housing is mated with the toner hopper reservoir, and  
       a combined rear flange, said combined rear flange created when the upper rear securing flange and the lower rear securing flange are connected together by the mating of the toner hopper reservoir to the developer roller housing.  
     
     
       15. The toner cartridge in  claim 14  wherein the securing fixture extends across the entire securing surface. 
     
     
       16. The toner cartridge in  claim 14  wherein the connecting of the securing fixture to the mounting surface is accomplished by using a double-sided tape. 
     
     
       17. The toner cartridge in  claim 14  wherein multiple securing fixtures are connected to the mounting surface. 
     
     
       18. The toner cartridge in  claim 14  wherein clips are used to secure the combined rear flange. 
     
     
       19. The toner cartridge in  claim 14  wherein glue is used to secure the combined rear flange. 
     
     
       20. The toner cartridge in  claim 14  wherein the mounting surface is located on a horizontal planar surface. 
     
     
       21. The toner cartridge in  claim 14  wherein the securing fixture is a spring. 
     
     
       22. The toner cartridge in  claim 14  wherein the securing fixture is a strap that extends beyond the mounting surface conforming to a surface contour of the toner hopper reservoir. 
     
     
       23. The toner cartridge in  claim 14  wherein the securing fixture is plastic. 
     
     
       24. The toner cartridge in  claim 14  wherein the securing fixture is metal. 
     
     
       25. The toner cartridge in  claim 14  wherein the securing fixture further comprises ridges. 
     
     
       26. The toner cartridge in  claim 14  having a seal in between the toner hopper reservoir and the developer roller housing. 
     
     
       27. A method for reassembling a printer toner cartridge comprising a developer roller housing and a toner hopper reservoir, said developer roller housing comprising a forward securing edge, the method comprising: 
       attaching a developer roller housing securing fixture to a securing area of the toner hopper reservoir, said developer roller housing securing fixture comprising a lip;  
       mating the developer roller housing with the toner hopper reservoir; and  
       securing the forward securing edge of the developer roller housing under the lip of the developer roller housing securing fixture.  
     
     
       28. The method of  claim 27  wherein the developer roller housing securing fixture comprises a metal. 
     
     
       29. The method of  claim 27  wherein the developer roller housing securing fixture is attached to the securing area using tape. 
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 29  wherein the tape is double-sided tape. 
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 27  wherein the developer roller housing comprises an upper rear securing flange and the toner hopper reservoir comprises a lower rear securing flange, the method further comprising: 
       attaching the upper rear securing flange to the lower rear securing flange.  
     
     
       32. The method of  claim 31  wherein the step of attaching the upper rear securing flange comprises the substep of: 
       attaching at least one clip to the upper rear securing flange and the lower rear securing flange.  
     
     
       33. A method for reassembling a printer toner cartridge comprising a developer roller housing and a toner hopper reservoir, the method comprising: 
       attaching a developer roller housing securing fixture to a flat securing area of the toner hopper reservoir;  
       mating the developer roller housing with the toner hopper reservoir; and  
       at least partially securing the developer roller housing to the toner hopper reservoir utilizing the developer roller housing securing fixture.  
     
     
       34. The method of  claim 33  wherein the developer roller housing securing fixture comprises a metal. 
     
     
       35. The method of  claim 33  wherein the developer roller housing securing fixture is attached to the flat securing area using tape. 
     
     
       36. The method of  claim 35  wherein the tape is double-sided tape. 
     
     
       37. The method of  claim 33  wherein the developer roller housing comprises an upper rear securing flange and the toner hopper reservoir comprises a lower rear securing flange, the method further comprising: 
       attaching the upper rear securing flange to the lower rear securing flange.  
     
     
       38. The method of  claim 37  wherein the step of attaching the upper rear securing flange comprises the substep of: 
       attaching at least one clip to the upper rear securing flange and the lower rear securing flange.  
     
     
       39. A printer toner cartridge assembly comprising: 
       a developer roller housing comprising a forward securing edge;  
       a toner hopper reservoir comprising a flat securing area; and  
       a securing fixture attached to the flat securing area and at least partially securing the developer roller housing to the toner hopper reservoir.  
     
     
       40. The printer toner cartridge assembly of  claim 39  wherein the securing fixture comprises a lip extending over the forward securing edge. 
     
     
       41. The printer toner cartridge assembly of  claim 39  further comprising double-side tape attaching the securing fixture to the flat securing area. 
     
     
       42. The printer toner cartridge assembly of  claim 39  wherein the developer roller housing comprises an upper rear securing flange and the toner hopper reservoir comprises a lower rear securing flange, the printer cartridge assembly further comprising: 
       at least one clip attaching the upper rear securing flange to the lower rear securing flange.